First Division

Tallaght
10 Oct 2020

Bray Wanderers extended their lead at the top of the first division to five points over Drogheda United - who have three games remaining - with this win over Shamrock Rovers II.

Bray made one change to the starting team from last week’s win over UCD with Darragh Lynch starting in place of Gary Shaw.

Wanderers started well and had plenty of possession in the opening stages. Luka Lovic found Ryan Graydon free on the left, but the winger fired over on eight minutes. Brian Maher was called into action on 18 minutes, turning a shot from ex-Wanderer Dean Williams around the post. Brandon Kavanagh fired a free kick over the Bray crossbar on 23 minutes. Kavanagh then forced Maher into another save two minutes later.

On the half hour, John Ross Wilson’s shot deflected to Darragh Lynch who volleyed just wide. Ryan Graydon got in on the left bye line, but his shot was blocked for a corner. Four minutes before the break, Aaron Bolger volleyed over the Bray bar after a defensive header was only cleared to him just outside the area. Killian Cantwell headed just wide from a corner on the stroke of half time.

Wanderers had a let off at the start of the second half when Nugent’s shot was saved by Maher’s leg. Wanderers took the lead on 53 minutes when Darragh Lynch got on the end of Dylan Barnett’s free kick to score from close range. Ryan Graydon cut in from the right and fired a shot across goal with a uarter of an hour remaining.

Bray clinched the win four minutes from time when Derek Daly got on the end of a cross from the right to steer the ball beyond Pohls.

Report: Michael Duffy

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